Nissan350Z2008Overview/nissan/350z/2008/base/

2008 Nissan 350Z

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 350Z.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2008 Nissan 350Z is a passenger car equipped with an automatic (S5) transmission and an engine requiring 5.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 17/24/20 mpg. Within the 2003–2008 complaint history, this model year logged the lowest volume of owner complaints at 24, a fraction of the 275 recorded for 2003, while drawing one recall and carrying power-train issues as its top reported grievance. That position at the bottom of the 2003–2008 complaint curve makes the 2008 model the most reliable year in the documented span.

Model year200920082007200620052003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-45R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546JK20A
Spark plug22401EW61C
Front wiper blades28890CF41A discontinued · alt 28890CF40A
Serpentine belt11720JK20A
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 21200JK20A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length169.7 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height51.6 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3382 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 350Z of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2–6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2007 Enthusiast Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007Enthusiast Coupe 3.5L V65.20 sec13.70 sec306 hpRWD
2006Touring Roadster 3.5L V65.70 sec14.30 sec300 hpRWD
200535th Anniversary Edition Coupe 3.5L V65.60 sec14.10 sec300 hpRWD
200535th Anniversary Edition Coupe 3.5L V65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpRWD
2005Grand Touring Roadster 3.5L V65.80 sec14.20 sec287 hpRWD
2004Track Coupe 3.5L V65.30 sec13.77 sec287 hpRWD
2004Enthusiast Coupe 3.5L V65.50 sec13.90 sec287 hpRWD
2004Touring Roadster 3.5L V65.50 sec14.30 sec287 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic-J
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.9 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.2 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85 · 75W-90 · GL-4

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Timing15, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH BREMBO BRAKES / WITHOUT BREMBO BRAKES
Torque to Knuckle113 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH BREMBO BRAKES / WITHOUT BREMBO BRAKES
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.866 in / 1.102 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 18 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9021 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., step 2: 9032 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2618 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 3,750 mi. The big-interval services (every 3,750 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,750 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel System (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miRadiator Hose (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 model year marks the lowest volume of consumer complaints in the provided 2003-2008 federal record, with only 24 filings compared to the generation-high of 275 in 2003. While recall counts stabilized at one annually from 2006 through 2008, the 2008 model is unique in this recent cluster for having zero active investigations, whereas 2005 through 2007 each recorded at least one. Among the few complaints lodged against this specific year, 20 out of 24 relate to the Power Train, though the data records zero crash or fire complaints. This consistent downward trend in complaints and the absence of investigations indicate that federal concerns diminished significantly by the conclusion of this data set. Based on these metrics, the 2008 model year represents the most statistically reliable option within the provided generation timeline.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Power Train20
Air Bags3
Power Train,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V521000Air BagsReported 07/10/2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 350Z. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 350Z take?

5.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 350Z have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 350Z get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.